Traveler Guitar
Since 1992
Founded in 1992 by Leon Cox in Redlands, California, Traveler Guitar is the global pioneer and market leader in compact, full-scale travel instruments. Featuring an ingenious patented In-Body Tuning System that recesses tuning machines inside the guitar body, Traveler guitars achieve 28% to 35% shorter overall lengths while preserving full 24.75" and 25.5" scale lengths and standard fingerboards, making them the ultimate portable solution for touring musicians, airline commuters, and practicing players.
34
Years in Business
180K+
Guitars Sold
$12M+
Annual Revenue
Complete Traveler Guitar Guitar Price & Valuation Guide (2026)
Comprehensive market valuation ranges, mint vs used condition pricing, tonewood specs, and historical price trends for Traveler Guitar guitars.
Traveler Guitar Price Overview
Traveler Guitar covers a wide range of instruments from entry-level to professional models. Typical used prices vary by condition, series and year. Higher-end USA models and limited editions retain value better than mass-market lines, while rare or vintage pieces often command significant premiums.
When evaluating value, consider originality (pickups, hardware), structural condition (neck, frets, finish) and documentation (serials, receipts, setup reports). Price dispersion across platforms is common; local stores offer service and inspection, whereas online marketplaces provide broader selection and price transparency.
For detailed buying advice, model comparisons and condition-based pricing, read the full guide linked above.
Market Overview
Average Price
$380
+3.6% vs last year
eBay Listings
310
Active listings
Sold This Month
78
+3.2% vs last month
Price Range
$180-$850
Current market range
Data sourced from eBay, Reverb, and Guitar Center used listings
Traveler Guitar Timeline
Leon Cox Founds Traveler Guitar
Leon Cox built the first portable prototype in his garage, patenting the In-Body Tuning System.
Pro-Series Commercial Launch
Introduced the Pro-Series, featuring dual acoustic piezo and single-coil electric pickups with a removable lap frame.
Ultra-Light Series Debut
Launched the minimalist Ultra-Light (under 3 lbs, 28 inches long), becoming the world's best-selling travel guitar.
Speedster & EG-1 Launch
Engineered full-featured travel electrics with built-in headphone amps, distortion circuits, and auxiliary inputs.
Travelcaster Series
Unveiled the Travelcaster, paying homage to vintage double-cut styling with 3 single-coils in an ultra-compact body.
Redlands Acoustic & Bass Expansions
Expanded the Redlands acoustic and short-scale Ultra-Light Bass lines for stage and studio road warriors.
Complete Traveler Guitar Product Lineup
Traveler Guitar revolutionized mobile music by refusing to sacrifice scale length—giving globe-trotting musicians a real instrument that fits easily inside any overhead airplane bin.
Ultra-Light Series (Ultra-Compact Minimalist)
Weighing under 3 lbs and just 28 inches long, designed to fit into standard airline carry-on overhead compartments.
One-piece Eastern American hard maple neck-through body, dual-rail humbucker, detachable lap rest.
Acoustic piezo pickup with standard 1/4" output, 24.75" scale length, weighs only 2 lbs 14 oz.
Classical travel guitar with wide 1.93" nut width, shadow acoustic piezo, and nylon strings.
Compact 30" short-scale travel bass with custom piezo pickup and thumb rest.
Speedster & EG Series (Electric Performance)
Full-scale travel electrics equipped with onboard headphone preamps, clean/distortion modes, and auxiliary inputs.
Retro racing stripe styling, dual-blade humbucker, built-in headphone amplifier, upper arm support.
Full-size humbucker, built-in headphone amp with clean/boost/overdrive/distortion, gold hardware.
Strat-inspired compact body with 3 single coils, 2-point tremolo bridge, full 25.5" scale length.
Pro-Series & Escape (Hybrid Acoustic/Electric)
Heritage acoustic/electric hybrids featuring piezo and magnetic pickups for versatile stage and silent practice.
Original 1992 design with under-saddle piezo, single-coil pickup, and stethophone acoustic listening tube.
Full-scale acoustic-electric with Shadow preamp, built-in chromatic tuner, and headphone jack.
"Traveler Guitar revolutionized mobile music by refusing to sacrifice scale length—giving globe-trotting musicians a real instrument that fits easily inside any overhead airplane bin."
Model-Specific Buying Guide
Each model has unique characteristics that affect both tone and value. Here's what to look for when buying specific models.
The Flight-Ready Minimalist Travel Instrument
Fits Airline Overhead Bins
At 28 inches in overall length, it easily fits into carry-on luggage or tight commuter aircraft bins without gate-checking risk.
Check In-Body Tuning Rollers
Inspect the brass pulleys and ball-end string anchor channels to ensure smooth winding without string slippage.
Verify Detachable Lap Rest
Always check that the metal lap-rest frame is included; replacing an original rest costs $35–$45 from the manufacturer.
The Silent Hotel Room Practice Powerhouse
Built-In Headphone Preamp
Onboard headphone amplifier lets you practice silently with clean, overdrive, and distortion tones without external hardware.
Aux-In Jamming
3.5mm aux input allows backing tracks to play directly into your headphones alongside your guitar signal.
Battery Compartment Inspection
Examine the 9V or AAA battery cavity for battery acid corrosion on older pre-owned units.
The Full-Scale Acoustic Solution for Stage & Studio
Shadow Electronics System
Integrated Shadow under-saddle pickup and custom preamp deliver natural plugged-in acoustic tone with minimal feedback.
Ergonomic Body Contours
Ergonomic forearm contour and traditional cutaway feel comfortable standing with a strap or seated.
Saddle & Bridge Action
Verify bridge saddle height and fret crown wear around frets 1–5 for smooth chord transitions.